Freemansburg Hires Federal Cleaning Crew

In a "strictly economic move" that will save Freemansburg $2,400, Borough Council last night voted to replace the borough custodian with a federal government work crew.

The crew of workers is part of a government program in which welfare recipients work at various jobs in exchange for their welfare checks, council President Audrey Phillip said.

The crew is being provided at no cost to the borough, she said.

They will replace the current custodian, Peter Kopchak of Freemansburg, who receives a yearly salary of $2,400.

The change will become effective Oct. 15.

This is "absolutely" an economic move, Phillip said. "We've got to cut everything we can (from the budget.)"

In other business, council announced that the Monroe Street paving project had been awarded to Eastern Industries of Wescosville for its bid of $19,872.50. Other bids were received from Joseph Ciccone and Sons, Bethlehem, $24,252, and Homer George of Freemansburg, $27,363.25.

Phillip said work will consist of paving the dirt section of the road, and that it should begin soon.